Drugs that inhibit HIV transmission through sexual contact

HIV-positive people take antiviral drugs to prevent infection of their partners.

On May 2, scientists announced that they studied the drug for eight years, experimenting with 1,000 gay couples in Europe. These couples all have an HIV positive partner. They received ART antiviral drugs . The results showed that the HIV virus was completely inhibited by ART. In other words, doctors do not find any cases of HIV transmission from couples during the time they are taking drugs, even if they have unprotected sex.

The study also found that ART prevented about 470 cases of risk of HIV transmission in gay couples. HIV-positive people must take medication daily.

Professor Alison Rodgers from University College London commented that "this is a medical success, the risk of HIV infection in gay men will be zero ".

Every year in the world, an estimated 1.8 million people are diagnosed with HIV.

Professor Alison hopes in the future all people with HIV will be treated completely, no longer the risk of spreading and infection.

"This finding could help stop the HIV epidemic by preventing virus transmission and eliminating the stigma and discrimination that many patients face," added Alison Rodgers.

Since HIV / AIDS appeared in 1980, more than 77 million people worldwide have been infected with HIV, nearly 50% of them have died of AIDS.

Medical experts believe that the number of AIDS deaths annually decreases and the number of people treated with antiviral drugs increases. However, the number of new cases is higher. Every year in the world, an estimated 1.8 million people are diagnosed with HIV. In 2017 there are nearly 40 million people in the world living with HIV, of which 21.7 million people are being treated with antiviral drugs. In the UK, an estimated 101,600 people are infected with HIV and about 7,800 people do not have diagnostic tests, so do not know if they are positive for the virus.

According to Professor Myron S Cohen, also in the research group, the first stage is difficult to diagnose HIV infection, limiting the effectiveness of treatment. Users of ART antiviral drugs must ensure diagnostic testing and compliance with health care guidelines. Many people find it difficult to access treatment in the late stages.

"Of course, the HIV prevention strategy is always preferred over treatment," said Professor Myron.